The 2010 North Carolina Singles Championship was played September 9–12 at the Bald Head Island Club. After a very successful tournament in 2009, the overwhelming consensus was to return this year. Once again the weather was salubrious and the food and hospitality outstanding, while daily mowing and rolling of the excellent lawns ensured smooth and fast playing conditions. Bald Head Island Croquet Club members, led by Anne Boozell, went out of their way to ensure that all players were well taken care of. Harper Peterson and Plunkett Dodge, along with the BHI Club members, hosted a potluck dinner on Friday night that was enjoyed by all. Once again, Sheila May did a great job of coordinating the daily meals.

First Flight had 14 players ranging from handicap 4.5 to 10. Cross-block play produced a nine-way tie for second through tenth place, which was then decided on net points (and in one case gross points), with the top eight going into the First Flight playoff ladder and the remaining six going into the First Flight B ladder. Bob Roth, who celebrated his birthday on Friday, emerged as the block winner, with only one loss. The remaining First Flight ladder spots went closely by handicap, with the exception of Rob Byrd, handicap 9, who finished fifth in the block.

Bob Roth fell to Bill Hartmann in the semi-finals. Local up-and-comer Bill Daigle lost to crowd pleaser Tony “The Plumber” Reaves in the other semi-final. The First Flight final began in light rain, which quickly gave way to a beautiful morning. After some back and forth play, and Reaves finishing his on-court breakfast, Hartmann was able to get a break around to rover. With his signature style of making big plays, Reaves was able to tie the score by the time the clock ran out. Hartmann’s front ball was for the peg, which he shot at softly and missed, leaving a ball at center court. Reaves set his partner a rush to the on-court ball. Hartmann shot at his ball near the peg and missed, again failing to get the ball off of the court. With two balls on court, Reaves made the most of it, going up by four wickets. Hartmann’s final shot missed, making Reaves the First Flight champion.

In the First Flight B ladder, Assistant Tournament Director Avril Nicholson and Elaine Moody worked their way up to meet in the finals. Moody, who beat First Flight winner Tony Reaves in block play, held tough and capitalized on Nicholson’s last-turn mistake of running the rover hoop in the wrong direction to win the First Flight B.

In Championship Flight, favorite Danny Huneycutt went undefeated to win his fifth NC Championship title. With only the top four players advancing to a single elimination ladder, block play was hard fought. One third of the block games were decided by two or fewer points, and only one player other than Huneycutt pegged out a single game. The four semifinalist slots went according to handicap, with Huneycutt, Harper Peterson, Ron Lloyd, and Horace Hayworth filling in the spots. Lloyd and Huneycutt met in the final, trading long hit-ins and leaves with Huneycutt getting the first break. Lloyd missed the long shot at Huneycutt’s killer leave and left Huneycutt the finishing break to win.

Frank Thompson was Tournament Director, assisted by Avril Nicholson. Jeff Soo did the scheduling.

Championship Flight

1. Danny Huneycutt
2. Ron Lloyd
3. Harper Peterson
4. Horace Hayworth
5. Chris Christian
6. Tommy Harrington
7. Mike Taylor
8. Steve Summer
9. Frank Thompson

First Flight

1. Tony Reaves
2. Bill Hartman
3. Bob Roth
4. Bill Daigle
5. Rob Byrd
6. Bob Porter
7. Dick Johnston
8. Rodney Lassiter

First Flight “B”

1. Elaine Moody
2. Avril Nicholson
3. Judy Porter
4. Brenda Quanstrom
5. Dave Strawson
6. Anne Boozell